New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-31
THE GREVILLE MEMOIRS.
CONCLUSION OF THE WORK.

'The differences between the irss aud last install
r,cut. of the t,revic Memoirs are sufficiently ac-
eounted fer. as Nh Reeve remarks in his preface
by the changes wrought through time and eXDer'
enoe in the writer's Judgment aud character. Mr.
Ercville opened his Journal in 1913 and closed II
In 1850. He q young man OF fashion anu
pleasure devoted almost equally to society," horse
racing and political gossip when he began 10 sci
down his impressions of public characters. secrets
Of rarty intrigue and scandals OF the courts OF
George ". and William ". Later he became a
moro seriors observer. Never practical politician
himself, for his official position forbade him to
he that he vns an earnest sympathizer with many
great movements, the conhdant ana ad'ser VI
Liberal stafesnen and shrewd judge OF the
.ct,ons aud m ,t,yes Of the governing class In
which he moved with intimacy ana 1reeoom'
Naturally as he grew old the larger aspects OF
affairs ccup; ell his mind to the exclusion OF good
mapy of the piquant trifles which amused hisyouth
man in public life who occupies his old age with
the collection Of scandsious anecdotes and petty
secrets must be frbble; and Greville was gen.
tleman OF character. Hence in these concluding
volumes. which cover the period of the new Second
Empire, the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny, the
war between France and Austria and the first steps
toward Italian unity, we find many interesting
contributions to political history With very little
of the talk of the backrstairs. The light throw n
upon party complications, particularly upon the
mapeuvres Of Lord PalmerstOD and Lord John
Russell ut the time of the Crimean War and the
nnwrittcn troubles of the Aberdeen Ministry, will
be more valuable in England than abroad; but
every student of European affairs will welcome 1t.
Mr.. Greville was not great admirer of either
Palmerston or John Russell, and the account which
he gives Of their conduct in various party crises
laws emphasis upon their selfish ambition and their
lack if not OF patriotism at least OF party fealty.
Lord John was persuaded with difficulty t0J0ln
the Aberdeen Ministry, his objections being upon
point of personal dignity. He took the Foreign
Office and the leadership of the House of Commons.
but presently resigned the former post and led the
Commons without Office, and of course without
salary. The Queen thought that this was uncon-
stitutional; and when convinced that she was
wrong about that she urged that a man indie
peudent of Office might consider himself Independ-
cnt of the Crown also, and postpone its interests
10 popular requirements" To this Lord John
Piled that he did not think any Minister. as it
was thought very much of tue Crown as contra
DISTINGUISHED from the people. and that he was not
less likely to take such part as she apprehenGed
BIZ holding an Office of f5,000 year, from which
the vote of the House of Commons conld at any
moment expel him." The Queen gave way but
Russell was not long satisfied with his position 1t
was not in his nature to be satisfied out OF office;
and. besides, there was a reason in his relations
with his brother. the Duke of Bedf I'd. why place
was important to him. This matter. of which Mr..
Greville gives a curious account, is not necessary
10 explain Lord Johns feelings, but it deserves
consideration;
The Duke Of Bedford came to me The other day TO
tell me ord John was determined no longer 20 60
on ss he now is. and 1t seems that he Is moved
principally by pecnnary considerations. He is
poor aud has large family. While be is in Office
he is Obliged 10 incur expenses 6y giving dinners
anu parties ana this ad itonal expense is betrayed
by the Duke. but in a very unsatisfactory waT.
Lord John sends him sort Of estimate or account
of bis extra expenses and the Duke pays the
money. Ii is not surprising that Lord John dislikes
such assistance as this and though he never COM
PLAINS he is probably mortified aud provoked that
his brother does not once for al give him sun OF
money or large annuity. Everybody else Is
amazed that he does not do this; but though lie S
much alta ched to Lord JOnn, admiros and is proud
of him. his love of money great that he cannot
bring himself even for his brother TO do a generous
thing on great scale. HE 'iossal fortune which
goes on increasing every day, and for which he has
no use. might we'll be employed IN making his
brother easy and in buying golden opinions for
himself: but the passion ct svsrce and the pleas
ure of accumulation outweigh all snch cons,dera-
potinn OF taking Office for the sake OF its emolu
ments.
Russell, therefore, insisted upon having the
Presidency of the Council; and to make room for
him Lord Granville was discourIeously turned out
OF that place. and the Right Hon. Edward Strut
was turned ont of the inferior Office Of Chancellor
OF the Duchy of Lancaster to make room for Lord
Granville. No other compens .tioI being at hand
for Strut, he created Lord Beper.
PalmerstOl at FIRST was highly unacceptable to
the Queen but she overcane much of her dislike
to him. though neither with him nor with John
Russell did she ever become cordial Just before
tho Crimean War Lord Clarendon. the Foreign
Secretary, wrote dispatch demonstrating against
certain action by the Turkish Government. 1t
agreed to in Cabinet Council, by Palmerston
among the rest, and approved by the Queen. bat
before it was sent Pamerston wrote to Clarendon
declining to be party to it, on the ground that it
was not strong enough. Clarendon went to the
Queen, and her Majesty said: l advise you not to
attach much importance to this communi-
cation. l know Lord Palmerston from
much experience aud it is probably only an at
tempt to bully. which. if you take notice of, you
will hear no more Of" The Queen was right
Clarendon sent of the dispatch, and informed
PanerstOn that he had done 60; to which the
latter replied very good-humoredly that as it was
gone, it was Useless to say any more about it, and
probably it would do no harm The Queen was
fond Of Lord Aberdeen. and later she showed
strong attachment to Lord Clarendon. with whom
sine used to talk in the most confdestial manner
Mr.. Greville had exalted opinion Of the Queen
Her capacity for affairs was remarkable; her judg-
ment was sound; and her Industry was untring.
The influence of the Prince Consort in politics was
always excellent. In 1853 the Journal contains
this entry:
Lady Lyttleton. whom met at Althorp told me
. great deal about the Queen and her hildreu
nothing particularly interesting. She said the
Queen very fond of them. but severe in her
manner, and strict aiscipnarian il her family
She described the Prince of Wales to he extremely
shy and tiinid with very eoOd principles, and
particularly an exact observer Of truth: the |
Princess Royal Is remarkably intelligent. | wrote |
this because il will hereafter be curious see how
the boy grows up and what sort OF performance |
follows this promise though shall not live to see
j.. She spoke in very high terms of the Queen |
herself, Of the Prince. and of the simplicity and
ha ppiness OF her private and domestic life.
Five years later Mr. Greville. writes as follows: